"I'm usually not one of those people who get that aggravated when I come out of a game. But I've had a couple of bad outings, and I was really frustrated last night by the outcome. So I hit something that was tougher than me."

--Kansas City reliever Neal Musser, who will miss the rest of the season after punching a chair in the Royals' clubhouse following a rough outing on Monday night.
(Kansas City Star)

"It's like giving a little kid some candy. I've been taking all the losses on my back, sitting in the dugout, not able to do anything to help the team. That's not a good feeling. I'm just trying to have fun and show my ability to the whole world."

-- Detroit Tigers pitcher Jair Jurrjens, on how much he's enjoying the chance to pitch again after missing some time with a sore shoulder.
(Detroit Free Press)

"You've got your teammates coming to you and saying, 'No matter how you feel, you're out there and it makes a difference.' When your teammates say that, it makes you feel good inside. It makes you want to go out there and try harder. No matter what I go through, I still give the effort."

-- Detroit Tigers outfielder Gary Sheffield, on the importance of playing and giving it all he has despite not being 100 percent healthy.
(Detroit Free Press)

"Even if we both have to go to different places, we know one thing: We're going to be friends on and off the field. That's not going to change, for sure. I'm pretty sure that whatever he'll do will be for the best for him and his family."

"You look at the batting average and the home runs, and the RBIs and the run production in general, and you combine that with his defense also, I think he's got to be very highly considered for this position."

-- Tampa Bay manager Joe Maddon commenting on outfielder Delmon Young being a frontrunner for the American League Rookie of the Year award. Young leads all AL rookies in RBIs, multi-hit games, hits, total bases and outfield assists.
(Tampa Tribune)

"Usually, adjustments are based on some experiences you've had when you've had success. You're just hopeful that the adjustment offers you the same level of success."

-- Arizona first baseman Tony Clark on an adjustment he has made in his swing. Trying to get his lower body more involved, Clark is employing a batting stance in which he is less upright at the plate and instead crouches more. Since the adjustment, Clark is hitting better than .350 since Sept. 1.
(Arizona Republic)

"I always ask that when someone says something about a nice catch because my goal is to make a catch that somebody doesn't think I'm going to get. When he said that, it's good that he has the confidence that I'm going to catch it. But I want to try to make the catch that no one thinks I'm going to make. I got to work harder, so that one was too easy."

-- Houston Astros center fielder Hunter Pence on asking manager Cecil Cooper when he arrived to the dugout if Cooper thought he was going to be able to make the outstanding diving catch against Lastings Milledge of the Mets on Sunday.
(Houston Chronicle)

"Once you get labeled a utilityman, it seems like that's what you are. I never had a chance to start at one position. I never warranted a multi-year contract. You might as well put expendable by the utility classification. I have been traded three times and released once."

-- San Diego infielder Geoff Blum, who can also play some outfielder, on being stuck with the "utilityman" tag and how it has affected his career. Blum has been starting regularly for the Padres at second base since the All-Star break.
(San Diego Union-Tribune)

"I think, mechanics-wise, everything's OK. I feel like I have a slow bat. I don't feel as sharp with the bat. Even though I see the ball OK, I can't get to it in time."

-- New York Yankees outfielder Hideki Matsui on his recent struggles at the plate, in which he is just 2-for-31 (.065) since Aug. 31 through Tuesday, dropping his batting average from .305 to .289.
(Newsday)

"That would be very beneficial for myself. You feel like you're part of the team."

-- Phildelphia Phillies pitcher Cole Hamels, on his efforts to get a few more starts before the end of the season. Hamels is currently out with an injury to his left elbow.
(Philadelphia Daily News)

"I probably have to go play winter ball and try to get a big-league invite with somebody. You never want to give up the uniform until they take it off of you. I'm not ready to give it up yet."

-- Veteran Twins catcher Matthew LeCroy, on his desire to play in the Major Leagues at least one more season.
(St. Paul Pioneer Press)

"You just keep playing. You go out there each night, Bobby puts out the lineup, and whoever we've got playing, we're going to play hard. There's a lot of guys on this team who are ready to play, ready to step in, and play hard til the end."

-- Braves outfielder Jeff Francoeur on how the players handle being outside of the playoff picture for the second year in a row.
(Atlanta Journal-Constitution)

"She was induced, and it was a good thing for him to be there. If things go well, he will be on the plane to Colorado [Thursday]."

--Marlins managerr Fredi Gonzalez on shortstop Hanley Ramirez missing Wednesday's game to see the birth of his second son.
(South Florida Sun-Sentinel)

"You can never dream too big. You shoot for the stars and you could reach the moon. Hopefully, I will get my first start soon, and get some more experience."

--Nationals rookie center fielder Jason Maxwell on his desire to make his first start in the Majors.
(Washington Times)

"I think they need to get me a red jersey like in the NFL and have somebody catch the ball for me."

--Dodgers pitcher Derek Lowe on being injured while playing catch with Jonathan Broxton. The injury is not serious and Lowe is listed as day-to-day.
(Los Angeles Times)

"I just like the feel without them. It's more comfortable. The batting gloves are a little too thick."

"At times, we've tapped into Figgy's versatility. We talked to him about it, and his comfort level in right field is high enough where we feel he's going to keep doing what he's doing offensively."

--Angels manager Mike Scioscia on the decision to move Chone Figgins from third base to right field, in lieu of recent injuries to outfielders Vlad Guerrero and Gary Matthews. Figgins had found a comfort zone at third base this season and is batting .409 in 298 at-bats since May 31.
(Los Angeles Times)

"I've felt pretty good at the plate the whole road trip. I haven't done anything different. I'm not swinging at many bad pitches, that's probably helped."

--A's second baseman Mark Ellis on becoming the first A's player since Carney Lansford in 1988 to record 10 hits in a three-game stretch.
(San Francisco Chronicle)

"Personally, I don't really read reports. Because the whole AL West, I played coming up, so I know most of the pitchers. But the older guys, I don't know them. Because they got to the big leagues before I started playing baseball. I've got to read the reports on them and see how they might be throwing. One day they might be pitching away, the next day in.
"Just like the other day when I faced Embree, he came in on me twice."

--Mariners outfielder Adam Jones on his approach to hitting. After reading the scouting report on A's pitcher Alan Embree, Jones homered off him Wednesday..
(Seattle Times)